World Cancer Day: We can. I can.

February 4, 2016
| by Alexandra Levine, M.D., M.A.C.P.

The theme of this year's World Cancer Day is a powerful one that speaks directly to the values and mission of City of Hope: We Can. I Can. Here, Alexandra Levine, M.D., M.A.C.P., City of Hope's chief medical officer, shares this message for World Cancer Day.

Everything we do at City of Hope has one purpose:

To make cancer a thing of the past.

Now more than ever, we have reason to believe that goal is in sight.

As we mark International World Cancer Day, City of Hope enthusiastically supports this year's theme: We Can. I Can.

We understand that it takes all of us working together to fight this battle, from our researchers who've achieved historic breakthroughs in targeted precision medicine and immunotherapy, to our world-class physicians, to the selfless nurses, social workers and other professionals tending to our patients' needs, body and soul, to our scholars in the field, identifying cancer trends in underserved communities and promoting cancer prevention.

But winning this fight also depends on each one of us doing our part as individuals: Educating ourselves. Making healthy choices. Committing to screenings and early detection. Supporting our friends and families. Raising our voices, spreading the word and telling our stories. At City of Hope, we stand ready to help.

This year, International World Cancer Day arrives on the heels of President Barack Obama's call for a national effort to “make America the country that cures cancer once and for all.”